The RSPCA is urgently appealing for witnesses after a heartless owner dumped its dog in a canal to die.

The callous act of cruelty happened on Friday, August 9, on a stretch of canal close to a lay-by on Booth Lane between Sandbach and Middlewich.

RSPCA inspector Emma Timmis was called to the scene where she managed to lie down on the canal side and drag the dog out of the water and to safety.

The dog was completely exhausted, cold and her claws were bleeding from trying desperately to get out of the water and up the bank.

Inspector Timmis said: “This was desperately sad and this dog would not have survived in the water much longer. Sadly when I managed to pull her out of the water it was clear she was desperately ill and had a tumour the size of a football on her chest.

“I am suspicious that she was put in the water deliberately. Sadly experience tells me that the most likely reason would have been because she needed vet treatment and the owner didn’t want to pay.

“Drowning is a terrible way to die, and this poor dog was thoroughly exhausted as she desperately hung on to life. This is not the way to end an animal’s life, and it is even more sickening that it could be as a result of saving money.”

Sadly, although the RSPCA managed to save the dog from drowning, she had to be put to sleep by a vet on their advice – because the tumour was too large and she was suffering.

The dog was quite elderly and a female English bull terrier but had distinctive brown patches on her coat.

The RSPCA is keen to hear from anyone who has any information regarding this incident, or who recognises the dog or saw any suspicious activity by the canal opposite the lay-by or Booth Lane.

Anyone who knows anything at all should call Insp Timmis on 0300 123 8018.